Frequently Asked Questions:
WHY BALLROOM DANCE?
Ballroom dance education goes beyond teaching elegant, precise movement; it fosters social skills, communication, physical fitness, and relationship-building in a dynamic, safe environment. By learning to dance, students develop confidence, discipline, posture, rhythm, and social awareness, all of which extend beyond the dance floor into everyday life. Michelle and I grew up as athletes in the Yakima Valley, but we found a lifelong passion in ballroom dance, which is a magnificent exploration of body, music, community and life.
We'd like to share these offerings with the community's adolescents.
Our program will offer one-hour weekly lessons in three styles of dance - these serve as foundations for other partner dances down the road. Additionally, monthly supervised practice parties will allow children to apply their skills, with parents invited to participate in a pre-party lesson to experience what their children are learning. We are looking into themed, formal practice parties once a quarter to introduce children to the traditional and classic aspects of ballroom dancing. Lastly, performance opportunities will be encouraged as they come up throughout the year.
Children are encouraged to commit quarterly as their skills and growth will be comprehensive and systematic.
THE PROGRAM
The program targets children ages 9-17, though younger children may be considered based on temperament and attention span. Tuition is $125 per child per month, covering four lessons and possibly one practice social - depending on enrolled.
Interested families are encouraged to reach out via the form below with the age of interested children.
LOGISTICS:
WHERE
Haute Ballroom at:
2524 W. Nob Hill Blvd, Yakima, WA 98902
(behind Red Robin in Rainier Square in the back of the breezeway)
WHEN
Starting September 17th and running through Thursday December 18th:
Every Wednesday from 4-5pm or Thursdays from 6-7pm.
COST
$125 per child, per month (4 Lessons + 1 Possible Practice Social).
AGES
We are mostly looking at ages 9-17. It may be possible for younger children to join depending on temperament and attention span.
YOUTH EXPERIENCE
Michelle has worked extensively with children and teens for over twenty years, while Aaron has worked mostly with teens for over ten. Both have a deep understanding of how to actually train the body in order to achieve phenomenal results.
Classes will begin Wednesday, September 17th, 2025
Reach out to start next week - Thank you!
✨ THE CANDLELIGHT BALL - Youth Program
A Night of Dance, Growth & Community
📅 Date & Time
Friday, November 21
7:00–9:30+ PM
📍 Location
The Crown Ballroom
(formerly The Seasons – newly renovated)
🎟️ Tickets
• General Public: $65 online / $80 at the door
• Family Rate: $25 per person for your child and immediate family. Other attendees can purchase tickets on our homepage.
(Please reach out if cost is a barrier — we want everyone to be included.)
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💃 About the Evening
The Candlelight Ball is an elegant evening of celebration, inspiration, and dance — part performance, part social gathering, and part transformative experience.
Our event begins with the Yakima Aztec Dancers, whose ancient, spiritually rooted dances remind us that movement and community have always gone hand-in-hand.
At 8:15 PM, our Youth Program will perform a 10–15 minute showcase. This is not a test, nor a "library" demonstration. If talking/socializing with their partner during the demonstration is helpful - great. If staying focused is helpful - great. They all are more than capable technically at this point, we hope to build on that with confidence now.
Feel free to stay until 9:45–10:00 PM, when your children will join the dance floor to share a few dances — with peers, teachers, and even a few adults — in a warm, candlelit setting that embodies the heart of ballroom.
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👗 Attire
This is a formal affair.
• Gentlemen: Black slacks & white dress shirt
• Ladies: A dress
(Need help finding something? Michelle and I are happy to assist.)
Dressing up isn’t just about style — it’s a way of honoring the art of dance, our partners, and ourselves.
⸻
🌱 How Your Child Will Grow
The Candlelight Ball is not only a performance/demonstration — it’s a growth experience.
• Your child is 100% ready. We wouldn't put them out there to explicitly fail, but we also know that "failure" is a mindset and that it's actually CRITICAL in the process of learning and achieving growth.
• Growth isn't linear, nor easy, nor always explicitly on our terms - at Haute Ballroom, performing as an adult or a youth is just that - an opportunity to grow.
• Build Confidence & Courage: Performing in front of others nurtures bravery and self-expression.
• Develop Poise & Presence: Moving with grace under pressure teaches mindfulness and composure.
• Practice Respect & Partnership: Ballroom dance fosters empathy, trust, and communication.
• Experience Belonging: Dancing in community teaches that growth happens together, not alone.
• Embrace Resilience: Every success and stumble builds character, humility, and pride.
We’ve already seen incredible growth in our youth dancers. This event deepens those skills and celebrates how far they’ve come — inside and out.
⸻
❓ If Your Child Feels Unsure
Your child does not have to perform — but we encourage it.
Performance is not about perfection — it’s about facing fear with support and a little grit. If they choose to simply attend, they’ll still gain courage from watching their peers frame up and dance.
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🌟 Looking Ahead
We’ll likely host another ball in May 2026, continuing this journey of growth and connection, but these skills ARE compounding, just like the lessons. Exposure now, elevates future experiences.
If your child has considered quitting, please encourage them to stay through December — breakthroughs often come just after the hardest moments.
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❤️ In Closing
The Candlelight Ball is a celebration of what dance can awaken in us all — confidence, connection, and courage.
It’s an unforgettable night of light, music, movement, and shared humanity.
We can’t wait to celebrate with you.
Warmly,
Aaron & Michelle
Haute Ballroom
📩 Questions?
Reach out to us anytime — we’d love to hear from you.
EMAIL: hauteballroom@gmail.com
Aaron: 509.312.8830
Michelle: 509.312.3228